Improvement in fluid-motors or motor-engines



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. J. MOLERAK: J. 0. OEBRIAN. Fluid Motors 0r Motor-Engines.

No. 212,039. Patented Feb. 4, 1879,

' WITNESSES ,3 INVENTORS ATTORNEY NFETERS. PHOTOLH'HOGRAPHFR,WASHINGTON. D C.

3 sheets sheet 2. E. J. MOLERA & J C. UEBRIAN. Fluid Motors orMotor-Erighnes.

No. 212.039. Patented Feb. 4, 1879.

I] INVENTORS V JZHHESSE-LS Z 1 I V N.FETERS PNOTO-LXTMOGRAPHER.WASHINGTON, D C

3 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. J. MOLERA 8?; J. G. CEBRIAN.

Fluid Motors or Motor-Engines.

No. 212.039. Patented Feb. 4, 18791.

lNVENTORS WITNE'SSES (@Qd ATTORNEY N. PE ERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHERWASHINGTON, D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUSEBIOUS J. MOLERA AND JOHN G. OEBRIAN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT/IN FLUID-MOTORS 0R MOTOR-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 212,039, dated February4, 1879; application filed October 3, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EUSEBIOUS J. MoLnRA and JOHN G. OEBRIAN, of SanFrancisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, havejointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motors; and wedo hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it pertains to make and use it, reference'being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form part'of this specification.

Our invention relates to motors. I

Figure 1 is an axial section of a motor or engine constructed inaccordance with our improvements, the two cylinders being concentricallyarranged, and the valve-chest provided with a double set of conicalvalves. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing an enlarged piston-rod and asingle set of valves adapted to operate for the same purposes as thoseof Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a motor wherein verticalslide-valves are employed,

' and wherein the power is communicated to a driving-shaft through themedium of a liquid piston, which operates directly upon a wheel whichmay be connected with the drivingshaft; and Fig. 4 is a similar view,showing a horizontally-moving slide-valve and such an arrangement ofparts as will cause the hydraulic motor connected with the drivingshaftto be operated by a continuous and uniform flow of liquid in onedirection. Fig.5 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 4, the samehaving its valve-chest removed. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a furthermodified form of our improved motor, wherein, instead of having twoplungers movable within their respective casings, we have shown onemovable interior plunger connected with a movable exterior casing orcylinder. I

Like letters in all the figures (wherever they occur) indicatecorresponding parts, and with respect to the several figures we desireto state that they are chosen to represent a class of engines or motorsembodying the principles of our invention, wherein the valve and pistonarrangements shown in either figure maybe transferred to devicesrepresented in any of the other figures by simple mechanicalalterations; and it has not been deemed necessary and they are liable toget out of order, require continual repair, and cause a waste of themotive power.

The stuffing-boxes for piston-rods, valve stems, 800., are also open tothe same objections, particularly to waste of the motive power. 7

The connections of the pistoirrod and other parts of the machine arebulky and complicated, causing much friction and requiring very perfectfittings or constructions.

The gas, steam, or air, after finishing its work, generally has a greattensional. power unexpended, which in nearly all cases is totally lost.

, In many motors the degree of heat required is very high, renderingtheir use quite expensive, and subject to great loss of radiation.Leakages in some forms of motors render them totally impracticable foruse in connection with certain fluids-as, for-instance, in ammoniaengines any leakage will result in the destructionof all brass fittings.

The purpose of our invention, as above stated, is to provide improvedmechanism whereby these several disadvantages or defects may beobviated; and to this end our invention consists in certain methods ofoperating and in certain novel and useful combinations or arrangementsof parts, all of which will be hereinafter first fully described, andthen pointed out in the claims.

In connection with our improved motor we employ, of course, a suitableboiler or gas-generat-in g chamber, which may be of any desired shape orconstruction. In this is generated the motive power either by theapplication of heat or otherwise. We prefer to employ a gas like ether,carbonic acid, a-mmoniacal gases, &c., which acquire great tensionalpowers by the application of a low degree of heat, and by employment ofsuch gases we are enabled to utilize natural sources of heat, as solaraction, hot springs, and others, thereby economizing in the productionof the requisite power.

As the generation of the gas is no essential part of the presentinvention, it has not been deemed necessary to illustrate the boiler orany of its proper appendages; and as the kind of motive power to beemployed will depend upon circumstances, it is not intended that theabove enumeration of special gases shall exclude the use of any otherkind, or exclude the use of any other fluid or liquid.

From the boiler the motive fluid must pass into one or moregas-chambers, G 0, wherein to expand and act upon a piston to transmitits work. V is the valve-chest, wherein the valves are located, andthrough which the motive fluid enters the pistonchambers, said fluidbeing conducted through the exhaust-pipe e and away to the condenserafter expendingits force upon the pistons. If in this piston-chamber wehave an elastic diaphragm, the gas on entering will press and extend it;and if then the motive fluid be exhausted the diaphragm will, on accountof its elasticity, regain its former shape and position. The fluid willtherefore impart to the diaphragm a reciproeating motion, similar tothat of the ordinary piston ot the steam-engine. If we replace such adiaphragm by a mass of liquid having an out-let, the result will be thesame, the liquid regaining its former position within its chamber afterthe motive fluid is exhausted. If we provide means of connecting suchelastic pistons (whether solid or liquid) with other parts of machinery,we will produce a motor or engine, and by such arrangement will obviatethe cost and difficulties of steam-packed pistons, inasmuch as theelastic pistons will constitute their own packing.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the chambers O and O are located concentrically andconnected by the valvechest V, located ateither end of the pair. Thevalves are so arranged that when the pipe m is in communication withchamber 0 it is disconnected from C, and at the same timethe-exhaust-pipe e is in communication with C, but disconnected from (3.When the valves are shifted, reverse communications are of course made.These valves may be conical,

slide, or of any approved form, so long as they operate as aboveindicated. In Fig. 1 they are shown as conical, in two pairs, mountedupon two parallel stems, which are united with the main rod 0', alongwhich a float or a plunger or open diaphragm may slide.

The rod 1' is to be provided with two stops,

against which the diaphragm, float, or plunger can abut in its forwardand backward motions.

. and thus shift the valves at the completion of the stroke.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the plunger P is provided with a cavity fortheaccommodation of rod 1'.

The two pairs of valves might be placed on a single stem, and the sameresults would be obtained.

In Fig. 3 we illustrate the application of slide-valves for the samepurpose. In this figure the channel 0 communicates with O, and c with O.

At 22 is a D-shaped slide, moving in the space (I, and having a circularpin at the top 1', and one at bottom 1', both of which move incylindrical cavities provided for them.

A cylindrical bore, a n, traverses the space (Z and opens into chamber0, and is also provided with communications 0 0, leading to thecavities, within which pins 41 'i are located. The passages t t iconnect bore n n with the exhaust-pipe e.

The rod 7, carrying two long pistons, slides within bore n n, the lowerpiston, with stuflingbox a, shutting off communication of space (I withchamber 0, into which rod 1' is made to v extend. Upon this extensionare mounted two stops, one near the top and one near the bottom of O.

A float, F, moves upon rod 1, following the motions of the liquid-pistonin chamber (3, and

as this float strikes either of the stops it will,

pull the valve-rod up or down, as the case may be, thus shifting thevalves, as will be seen by the following: When rod r is pulled down itsupper piston closes the communication between space (I and the upperoutlet, 0, and upper pin-hole of'zT, which latter is then open to theexhaust through if t, and at the same time the lower piston openscommunication between space at and the lower channel, 0, closing thelower exhaust-channel, t. tive fluid will then operate to elevate orshift the valve and hold it, and the boiler will be connected withchamber 0, and chamber 0 with the exhaust-passage.

When rod 0" is elevated upon ascent of the float reverse communicationswill be established, as is easily understood.

The valve or slide 0 is provided with a spring and screw, intended tohold it against its seat and to compensate for wear of parts. Theadvantage of this disposition of parts results from the fact that butlittle force is required to move the valve-rod r r on account of itsbeing balanced against the pressure of the motive fluid in space (I; butany other form of slide-valve would answer the general purposes withmore or less friction.

In Fig. 4 we show another form of slide valve. In this case the twopiston-chambers (J O are supposed to be in the form of halfcylinders,separated by the wall a, through which a vertical revolving shaft, f, ismade to pass.

The valve-ports are indicated at 0 0, and 2: represents the valve, asbefore. At xis an eccentric made fast to shaft f, and serving to throwthe valve.

It will be plainly seen that at every complete revolution of f the valvewill give a full The m0- stroke. Instead of making 00 fast to f we mayinsert between them toothed wheels or any other devices in order to haveone stroke of the alve to any given number of revolutions of f. I

In the devices represented in Figs. 1 and 3, the internal valve -motionhas the adva tage of dispensing with stuffing-boxes for the valve-rodwhich open into the atmosphere,

and also of avoiding the waste of motive power, as well as simplifyingthe connections between the piston and the valve-rod, which are amongthe advantages claimed for our invention. In device represented in Fig.at these advantages are somewhat reduced, because the valve-motion isexternal, and the construction requires a perfect stuffing-box at somepoint of shaft f.

In cases where the valve-motion is external we may use any of theordinary ways to produce it.

If the valve-rod projects through the valvechest into chamber 0 or G, wemay employ a stuffing-box for liquids only; but if said valverodprojects through the steam-chest at any other point, we should require amore perfect stuffing-box, as for gas, 850.. which should be avoided, ifpossible.

Each of the described double valves may be replaced by two separatevalves in one valveehcst or in two, and either may be moved internallyor externally by the same or by inde pendent mechanisms.

Thechambers C and C may be disconnected, if desired, or may have aconnection the shape and position of which will vary according to thepurposes of the machine. If they-be disconnected they will each havetheir separate elastic pistons, and these may operate independently ortogether. If connected they may be attached by solid pieces or made tooperate together by means of an interposed liquid or otherwise, as foundmost desirable. If the pis' tons be elastic the chambers may be of anyshape whatever. If we have two disconnected chambers and liquid-pistonswe will have two liquid masses reciprocating; and since we may attach toeach chamber a pipe at any inclination ,we may direct these reciprocating motions at pleasure, and cause the liquids to communicate their powerto any hydraulic mechanism. If the chambers be connected, for instance,as shown in Fig. 1, we have a single liquid mass having a motion from Oto C and the reverse. The motive fluid enters through at into (J, andpresses the liquid piston into 0, which is then connected with theexhaust or condenser. passed into C the valves are pulled down by thefloat, or otherwise tripped, and the motive fluid enters G. As O is thenin communication with the exhaust or condenser, a partial vacuum will beproduced in G, and the liquidpiston will be forced into C by the-powerof themotive fluid and that of thevacuum. \Vhen this chamber is full, ornearly full, the valves will be thrown to their original position, and

WVhen nearly all the liquid has.

the motions and operations will be thus continued, so long as the motivefluid is admitted to the motor or engine.

If a plunger, 1?, be interposed between the motive fluid and the piston,as in Fig. l, a

rectilinear reciprocating motion will be communicated to this plungerand its attached rod,

from whence it may be communicated to any mechanism. In this figurewehave represented the plunger as being located inside of chamber O, bywhich arrangement we are enabled to operate the valves without exteriorcommunications. Nearly all the liquid may be disposed beneath theplunger P. We might even suppress the liquid-piston on top of P; but asone of the objects of the liquid-piston .is to avoid steam-packings, itis better to employ the liquid substantially as indicated.

It should be carefully observed that the device represented in Fig. 1indicates only one disposition of material and operative parts whichwemay adopt. The chambers may not only be of any shape whatever, butthey may be placed in any relative position, near or far apart, and theymay have independent sets of valves. Their communications 0 0 may be hadthrough any pipes or vessels, or may be stopped altogether, and aplunger or other suitable hydraulic mechanism may be intro duced at anypoint of said communications.

without departing from the spirit of our invention.

In further illustration of the scope of our invention we have shown atFig. 6 two chambers, C G, having no communication except through thevalve-chest, which, in this case, is placed between the two. Thesechambers are again shown as cylindrical, each one having its own plungeror equivalent therefor. The plunger and its rod are in this instancesupposed to be in one single piece, in conse quence of whichthestuffing-box uof rod R in Fig. 1 is replaced ,by the hydraulic-presspacking h. a

In order to avoid the boring of a long cylinder we give the two chambersO G the shape ofau ordinary. hydraulic-press cylinder, thus reducing theboring to the length represented by a I). r

The liquids pp operate as the pistons, which in this case assume a ringshape, or when I is at its lowest point 1) may assume the shape of acircle.

In Fig. 1 we represent the chambers as stationary and the plungermovable; but if we suppose the plunger in that figure to be stationarythe chambers would have to be made movable.

In Fig.6 we indicate a union of the. two instances. In the lower portionof the engine the chamber'is made stationary and its plunger movable,and in the upper section the chamber is movable and plunger stationary.The two movable pieces are connected by the rods (1 d, which might besuppressed.

We might still further simplify the device of Fig. 1, preserving all itsadvantageous characteristics, as shown in Fig. 2, wherein the doublevalves are replaced by single sets. In this illustration the sectionalarea of rod R is supposed to be equal to one-half that of chamber G, inwhich event the total pressure of the downward stroke will be doublethat of the upward stroke. The single valves establish alternatecommunication between 0 alone and m and c, the branch m keeping Oconstantly in communication with the boiler, and there being no openingbetween G and the exhaust. Under this arrangement, if we represent bysymbol X the transverse sectional area of the upper face of the plunger,and represent by symbol Y the transverse sectional area of theplunger-rod, while symbol Z is taken to represent the pressure of themotive fluid within supply-pipe m, then the pressure of the motive fluidagainst the upper face of the plunger can be represented as Z XX, whilethe pressure of the motive fluid against the lower face of the plungercan be represented as Z Y; but

Y': X+25 hence said lower face pressure is Z X1-2. The difterencebetween this upper and lower face pressure is therefore Z X- Z X X-;- 2='Z X-Z- 2, which latter quantity represents the resultant or elfectivepressure imposed upon the upper face of the plunger, in subjection towhich said plunger moves on its downstroke. For the upstroke there is nopressure against the upper face of the plunger, while the lower face issubjected to a pressure represented by Z X Y; but Z x Y=Z x X-:-- 2,which latter quantity, hence, represents the force of the upstroke,plus, however, the suction-power from the exhaust. A very simplecalculation will therefore give the true relation to be establishedbetween P and R to obtain an equal power for the upward and downwardstrokes, or to obtain two powers differing by certain desired amounts.

Figs. 3 and 4 represent devices wherein the liquid pistons are caused toflow constantly in the same direction. In Fig. 3 the two chambers O Gare concentric cylinders, and in Fig. 4 half-cylinders, separated by thewall a.

Each chamber must have two liquid valves, n 8 n 8, one opening inwardlyand the other outwardly. The liquid-piston in its motion from onechamber to the other will always move from the outwardly-opening valvestoward those which open inwardly. By varying the relative positions ofthose two valves we may obtain many different directions of theliquid-current. If the two outward valves are nearer together or incloser relative communication than with the other two, as in Fig. 3,then we obtain a constant flow in the direction M b. If thecommunications were placed in a cross shape, we would obtain twointermittent flows crossing each other.

i Fig. 3 shows the engine applied to a vertical water-wheel, from whichthe desired motion may be easily communicated. The two outwardly-openingvalves n n are connected by two tubes leading to the wheel-case N, asare also the inwardly-openin g valves 8 8.

When the motive fluid is pressing the liquid in 0 down it will openvalve a, close a and 8, enter case M, and through valve 8 will enterchamber 0. In this figure we have shown a float, F, which, following theup and down motions of the liquid-piston G, will operate the valves inthe valvechest, as previously explained. When nearly all the liquid haspassed into 0 the float will trip valve 21, which allows the motivefluid to enter 0. The liquid will then close valve .9, open valve or,close a, and open .9, and will take the same course, I) b b, and so themotion will continue.

The water-wheel within case M may he of any approved construction. Thecase will vary in shape according to the kind of wheel employed. Theopenings at a s a 8 may be varied, so as to cause the liquid to act atany point of the wheel, and the valve c maybe moved directly by theshaft of the water-wheel, as previously intimated.

Fig. at shows the application of our improved motor to a horizontalwater-wheel or turbine. In this case the communication between G and Ois through the box N and through the tubes t t, which reach nearly tothe bottom of said box. The valves 8 8 might be placed at the oppositeends oft and t, or at any point of their length. The box N is dividedinto two compartments, in the upper one of which are the vanes a,regulated by B, so as to direct the liquid upon the water-wheel W in thecompartment below. The upper compartment communicates with the outwardvalves, n n, and the lower one with the inward valves, 8 8. When themotive fluid acts in O the liquid passes through n, thence through thevanes and upon wheel W, and then up through it and 8 into 0. hen themotive fluid acts in O the liquid opens a, passes through the vanes tothe wheel through t to s, and thence into C.

At A is shown an air'chamber which will act as a cushion, preventingshocks, &c. The wheel WV maybe of any construction whatever, and bysuitably disposing the liquid valves we may cause the water to act uponthe periphery or at the center of the wheel.

It in Fig. 3 we suppose two distinct communications, one from n to s andthe other from n to s, the liquid-pistons will constitute twointermittent liquid-currents in the same direction, and eachone may actupon a different mechanism if desired. The liquid pistons should be suchthat they have no action upon the gas or vapor used as a motive fluid,so as not to waste or even neutralize it, or any of it. Instead of usingthe liquid-piston directly upon any hydraulic mechanism, we may interpose a second transmitting liquid between them. In this case theliquid-piston should have no chemical action upon the motive fluid orupon the transmitting liquid. Such is the case in our figures, wherein pis the liquid piston andl the second or transmitting liquid. \Ve mayhere observe that when we use a liquid communication between G and O,

hydraulic motors and the high-pressure moing-pipe of the boiler, to beused again.

whether the piston is liquid or solid, we combine inone machinetheadvantages of the tors. We use in fact a hydraulic engine deprived ofthe two main disadvantages hereinbefore mcntioned-to wit, the head ofwater and quantity consumed-and we have show how a comparatively smallquantityof water or other liquid may be used over and over again uponthe same mechanism, and how the head of water may be replaced by thepressure of the gas or vapor employed as the motive fluid. Eithen'one ofthe Chambers 0 or G and its accompanying valvesmay be dispensed with, inwhich event the motive fluid will act in the remaining chamber asbefore; but the resulting motion will be intermittent and notcontinuous. If a second transmitting liquid be employed under thismodification there must be a vessel provided for its reception uponleaving the single chamber, and by establishing communication betweenthis vessel and the single chamber similar to that before explained, asbetween G and C, we can obtain results similar to those hcreinbeforenoted. We might even dispense with the receivin g -vessel and waste thetransmitting liquid, and yet employ our mechanisms if we have a sourceof liquid from which to feed the single piston-chamber.

By introducing proper modifications, all within the scope of the aboveexplanations, we may employ any number of chambers, which may operatedependently or independently of each other.

As will appear from the foregoing, these engines may be applied to anykind of ma, chines, and, therefore, to pumping-machinesy: but they mayalso be employed directly as pumping-engines. \Ve have only to supposeeach piston-chamber O (3 provided with the water-valves 'n s of Figs. 3and 4, the inward valve, 8, connected with the passage for the liquid tobe pumped, and the outward valve, a, with the point where the liquid isto be delivered, and we have an illustration of a pump which may be madesingle or double acting and serviceable for throwing all kinds ofliquids or gases, sands and muds.

These same machines may also be employed as fluid-meters. The fluid tobe measured is made to follow the way pointed out for the motive fluidabove-from m to c. It must therefore fill the piston chamber or chambersbefore it can escape; and if we know the exact capacity of saidchambers, we will have the exact measurement of the fluid passed atevery stroke of the elastic piston, and the number of these strokes maybe conveniently registered, as in the meters now employed.

The motive fluid, after leaving the pistonchambers, is conducted to acondenser, which may be of any construction whatever, and from thiscondenser it must pass to the feed- "We desireto add that many of theadvantages herein attributed to the form of motor shown may likewise beattained by employment'of an elastic or yielding chamber, the principalfeatures of which are embodied in a separate application for patent, andneed not therefore be herein enumerated.

Under the construction and arrangement shown and described our improvedmotor is found serviceable, simple, cheap, and to otherwise admirablyanswer the several purposes and objects of .the invention, as previouslystated.

, Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a motor-engine actuated by gas or vapor in a state of tension, thecombination, with concentricpiston-chambers andadouble-acting hydraulicdevice operated by a liquid-piston, of valve mechanism governing thesupply and exhaust of the motive fluid, together with a float devicemovable with said piston, and adapted to operate said valve mechanism,substantially as set forth.

2. In a motor-engine actuated by gas or vapor in a state of tension, thecombination, with concentric liquidpiston chambers and a plunger workingwithin the inner one thereof, and connected with the driving parts, of avalvestem which extends down within said inner chamber, and is adaptedto operate the valvemotion in supplying and exhausting the motive fluid,said valve-stem being alternately raised and lowered by engagement ofstops formed at suitable points thereon with the plunger, substantiallyas set forth.-

3. In a motor-engine in which a hydraulic device connected with thedriving parts'is actuated by the expansive force of certain gases orvapors, the combination, with the liquid-pistonchambers having suitableintercommunication, of a valvechest located above the same, and avalve-stem, which latter, by engagement with the hydraulic device,operates the valve-motion within said valve-chest, substantially as setforth.

4. In a motor-engine in which a hydraulic device connected with thedriving parts is actuated by the expansive force of certain gases orvapors, the combination, with the liquid-piston, of an independentliquid interposed between the latter and the hydraulic device, saidpiston having no chemical action relative either to said liquid ormotive fluid, substantially as set forth. 7

5. In a motor, the combination, with a liquid piston, of a float,diaphragm, disk, or; equivalent device, movable therewith, and adaptedto actuate the valves which govern the inlet and outlet of the motivefluid, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a motor provided withliquid-pistons, (one or more,) thecombination, with the piston-chamber, of a valve-chest and valvesarranged therein or thereon, substantially as described, so that thevalve-stems shall project through the chest only into thepiston-chambers, for the purposes and objects named.

7. In a motorengine operating with elastic pistons, the combination,with a piston-chamber provided with supply and exhaust valves and aplunger, which latter connects by plunger-rod with the drivingmechanism, of a second piston-chamber having constant communication withthe first chamber, and also with the pipe which supplies both saidchambers with a suitable motive fluid in a state of ten sion, saidplunger-rod being of such transverse sectional area relative to thechamber in which it works that the efiective strokes of the plunger,respectively following the alternate supply and exhaust of the motivefluid, may be alike equal or variable, as desired, substantially as setforth.

8. The combination of the two chambers O O, valve-chest V, valves v,liquid-piston Z, float F, wheel-case N, valves n a s s, and therevolving wheel, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our handsthis 7th day of September, 1878.

EUSEBIOUS J. MOLERA.

JOHN G. GEBRIAN. \Vitnesses:

F. O. WEGENER, ANDRES lVIAURI.

